"Happy Birthday Canada" celebrating 150 years today!! We have arrived right in town again which is so convenient for all. A great day ahead of us too with our super guide, Matt from Vancouver Private Tours, along with 4 other couples – organised by Karen.
Instantly we knew that Matt was going to give us a good time and we began our day by taking a quick walk along the city foreshore to the 2010 Winter Olympic Cauldron where he took the first of many panoramic photos of us.
As the city was setting up for all kinds of loud entertainment and the fact that we still have tomorrow morning here in Vancouver, we escaped the crowds and hopped into his comfortable mini bus. Just a short drive to Stanley Park, which is a fabulous public park of just over 1,000 acres of beautiful trees and gardens, almost totally surrounded by water, overlooking the city sky scrapers. Holiday makers were arriving in droves – running, walking, riding bikes, setting up picnic spots, etc., whilst Canadian Geese were oblivious to the crowds and lazing on the foreshore. Another panoramic photo was taken and this time along with Matt's Canadian Flag, which played centre stage at many locations during the day.
Matt walked us to one of the most sought after tourist locations in the park and in Vancouver – the Totem Poles – hand carved, painted, tall and proud, representing cultures and stories of their indigenous people. Next was a 'photo shoot' of a ginormous Canadian Flag (bigger than the footy field) laid out, no doubt for aerial photos. It was then a quick drive to the Rose Garden Tea Rooms, within the park, for another photo shoot and 'smell the roses'… no tea for us as we had to move along!!!
Now we're heading way out of town along a great new highway to the little town of Squamish, around 45 mins. north. We had lunch there in the Howe Sound Brewing Co. – and another beer for me ( I have only ever had 3 in my life before this trip – could become a habit!!). Pulled pork burgers, washed down with pale ale in a packed restaurant with lots of 'kids'…. Very enjoyable!!
Squamish has so very much going for it – small, quaint town – on a river with only the brave sail boarding in gusty freezing winds – a massive complex of mountains with crazy mountaineers scaling like ants – huge, golden, newly cut timber logs waiting to be 'rafted' downstream to Vancouver – a very busy little place…. and there's more!!
Their biggest and best tourist attraction is the Sea to Sky Gondola, only constructed 3 years ago. Not sure how far it is to the top, but it takes 10 minutes in the Gondola, whilst ogling at the pristine scenery, to reach the Summit Lodge - and it doesn't pay to 'look down'!!!
The most wonderful platform/viewing area, with refreshments, souvenirs, etc., awaited us and then a 100 metre Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge to cross for even more breathtaking photos. Given the age of our group, some were actually seen to be jumping on this bridge, hoping to scare us… haha!!!!
Matt was in his element again taking panoramic photos and sending 'air drops', as well as taking photos for many other tourists. After walking back to the Summit Lodge, we continued walking through the lush forest to Shannon Falls – a spectacular waterfall, and what a picture it was!!
On the bus and our journey back to Vancouver city, driving by wealthy homes with magnificent views and then lovely bay beaches packed to the rafters, basking in the sunshine… Thank you Matt for a very memorable day, and your extraordinary tour guiding and for being our photographer.
Feeling rather exhausted and not wanting to battle the crowds, we opted to take up 'residence' on Deck 15, with some light refreshments to watch the evening fireworks which were stunning. It was a perfect night and we could almost touch them.
Think it will be a sleep in before we wander around the city tomorrow.
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